Another bottom bracket gone?

aFlabbyPanda

So for the second time in 12 months I've been told my bottom bracket is gone. This has happened on 2 different bikes which I had bought used (one was around 3 years the other under 12 months) but still it just seems unusual to me. Is it just me (as in fat!), bad luck or am I doing something wrong?

ashleey

What type of bottom bracket, crank and frame?

Squidgy Black

More importantly, what kind of mileage? and for what use? If it's a commuter that's also being raced with big mileage it's understandable.

Quigs Snr

You're not washing it with a hose or horsing buckets of water on it by any chance

Seweryn

BrianjG wrote: »

So for the second time in 12 months I've been told my bottom bracket is gone. This has happened on 2 different bikes which I had bought used (one was around 3 years the other under 12 months) but still it just seems unusual to me. Is it just me (as in fat!), bad luck or am I doing something wrong?

Nothing wrong at all. I used to change bottom bracket bearings every 2 to 3 months. Let us know:
- What BB type it is,
- At what mileage interval it needs attention,
- Do you ride in wet conditions much?

aFlabbyPanda

No idea of the bracket type but this is my Trek 1.1 that I use for commuting (100+ km per week). I've put about 2K on it since I've owned it and there was maybe <1K when I got it. I'm just wondering more about this bike as the guy had receipts etc when I bought it from him showing it was only about 6 months old so was surprised that it went.

I've rode in all weather so far since I had the bike and the previous guy had used it as a winter trainer. As for washing I've not done it as much as I should but its never filthy as the roads I ride are clean.

cyclic

Unfortunately, regular cycling means regular spending to keep things going smoothly. Personally, I've learnt a bit about maintenance (I'm sure you probably have more knowledge than me) and have come to expect that I need to spend a couple of bob on stuff that breaks down (most recently chain, BB, cassette, chainset, and, damnit, a front deraiilleur, on different bikes. Not to mention tyres, wheel service, cables, etc...... However, when I compare it to running my car- it's peanuts, and when I laugh at the thought of gym fees- I positively welcome the continual 'upgrades'. And my psychotherapy fees are way down these days due to the feel good factor......

feck sake lads

if its a outer bearing bb you need the bottom bracket shell faced otherwise you will be changing it every couple months.a good bike shop will do this no hassle.

Squidgy Black

You should start changing bottom brackets out yourself, it's easy enough and all you need is the basic removal tool and an adjustable spanner. You'll save a fortune.

feck sake lads

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

You should start changing bottom brackets out yourself, it's easy enough and all you need is the basic removal tool and an adjustable spanner. You'll save a fortune.

But only if he gets the shell faced otherwise he will be buying bearings every couple months..

aFlabbyPanda

Yeah my LBS is sorting it tomorrow for me, I guess I was just wondering if there was an expected mileage to get from these or is it a part that is replaced with regularity.

slideshow bob

BrianjG wrote: »

Yeah my LBS is sorting it tomorrow for me, I guess I was just wondering if there was an expected mileage to get from these or is it a part that is replaced with regularity.

You should expect several thousand km from a bottom bracket under ordinary conditions here. Your mileage may vary.

I've had one fail on a road bike after just 2,000 km and a basic square taper one last over 10,000 km on a year round commuter that sees all weather. Seweryn seems to go through them like I go through red lights...

cyclic

There are many different types of Bottom bracket. When I last asked the maestro (aka Holyboy, aka Bee cycles on SCR) he shrugged with nonchalence of a seasoned mechanic and replied ''between 1,000 and 10,000 km'). Infuriating as this response was - he's generally right in my experience. Mine was a Shimano Hollowtech BB. Good news is these are incredibly easy to replace yourself and cost very little if you buy online- the tool cost about 12 euros from memory. If you have a different system- sorry for wasting your time.

Bigus

If these are still available they're guaranteed for 65000 miles

http://janheine.wordpress.com/2011/01/27/skf-bottom-brackets-world-exclusive/

Mechanic365

If thats an alluminium frame then just ensure its not left outside because moisture will build up in the tubes and run straight to the bb, this WILL greatly reduce its life by washin lube away

doozerie

The type of bottom bracket is a huge factor as different designs have different strengths and weaknesses. One that's considered amongst the worst for longevity is ISIS - it's an internal bottom bracket with a wide diameter axle (for strength) which necessitates smaller bearings and this makes for shorter lifespan of the bearings. So depending on what you have the basic design of it might or might not be against you from the start, whatever about other factors.

Seweryn

slideshow bob wrote: »

Seweryn seems to go through them like I go through red lights...

Not anymore though. I sourced a high quality bearing set and the BB is still running perfectly well since the end of winter when I replaced it last time .

Seweryn

doozerie wrote: »

The type of bottom bracket is a huge factor as different designs have different strengths and weaknesses. One that's considered amongst the worst for longevity is ISIS - it's an internal bottom bracket with a wide diameter axle (for strength) which necessitates smaller bearings and this makes for shorter lifespan of the bearings. So depending on what you have the basic design of it might or might not be against you from the start, whatever about other factors.

The BB30 is possibly even worse, especially with the standard (read: [EMAIL="cr@p"]cr@p[/EMAIL]) bearings supplied by the major bike companies like FSA, Sram, etc.

If you have a bike with a BB30 with these shaytquality bearings do not even look outside the window if there any signs or rain coming.

aFlabbyPanda

thanks guys, I'll let the LBS sort it this time and will invest in something better if it goes again (if I still have the same bike).

slideshow bob

Seweryn wrote: »

Not anymore though. I sourced a high quality bearing set and the BB is still running perfectly well since the end of winter when I replaced it last time .

Might you share the details of that bearing set? What you got, where, how much?

Seweryn

slideshow bob wrote: »

Might you share the details of that bearing set? What you got,

Sure.

I got the NTN 6806-2RS LLU bearings. They are top quality Japanese bearings and come with four different type of seals. The LLU is the best double lip seal for dust and water protection and adjusts for wear.

slideshow bob wrote: »

where ?

I bough them last year when I was away on holidays in Poland. I got them in a bearing specialist shop and I still have their business card, so here is the place .
Not sure if you can get them anywhere locally, but I probably could organise a way to deliver them here through a friend that lives in the area and that brought me into that shop in the first place.

slideshow bob wrote: »

how much?

They were about €45 Euro per pair. Well, well worth it. I was going through the standard bearings like hell, but since got these, no more problems with the BB.